August 31 DVD roundup

TV on DVD has returned with a vengeance. In fact, it’s pushed any mainstream releases off the date this week.

Usual rules apply: synopses are taken from the press releases, snarky commentary is extra, and preview links go to Apple.com. And just in case you were wondering, the DVD prices are the listed retail prices. You can get them cheaper if you buy at discount stores or online.

Fourth season of the family drama with matriarch Nora (Sally Field) trying to keep track of her five adult children as they go through the trials and tribulations of modern life. Also stars Rob Lowe, Calista Flockhart and Rachel Griffiths. Extras: bloopers, deleted scenes, two featurettes.

The Evil Dead (Limited Edition)

Anchor Bay, 85 minutes, not rated, $29.99 (BD debut)

Director Sam Raimi’s first horror classic makes it’s BD debut with two new transfers in the 1:85 ratio and the original 1:33 ratio. Five college friends, including Ash (fan favorite Bruce Campbell) travel to a remote cabin and find a cassette tape with instructions to revive evil spirits. They play the tape. Bad idea. Extras: new commentary with Raimi, Campbell and producer Robert Tapert. Bonus conventional DVD includes six featurettes previously released on other DVD versions.

Flashforward: The Complete Series

ABC Studios, 1946 minutes, 22 episodes, 5 discs, $59.99

Short-lived series had an interesting premise: everyone on Earth blacks out for the same 2 minutes and seven seconds on April 29, 2010. All of them (except those who died as a result of being in a moving vehicle when it crashed at high speed or some sort) got a glimpse of their future. Wonder if they saw the series ending after only 22 episodes? Or that ABC Studios would try the “Part 1″ season DVD trick, only to release a “complete” set later? No word if you’ll be able to trade in your “Part 1″ set. Extras: several featurettes, commentary, blooper reel, deleted scenes.

For My Wife: The Making of an Activist for Marriage Equality

Cinema Libre, 60 minutes, $19.95

Documentary focuses on Charlene Strong, a woman who fought for domestic partnership legislation in Washington State after her wife died tragically in 2006 and she was not allowed to be at her side. Extras: interview with Gloria Steinem, music video, podcast, filmmaker featurette.

Go, Diego, Go!: Diego’s Ultimate Rescue League

Nickelodeon/Paramount, 94 minutes, 3 episodes, $16.99

The intrepid adventurer for the pre-school set assembles a team to rescue animals in danger. No extras listed.

House: Season Six

Universal, 21 episodes, 5 discs

DVD: $59.98

BD: $74.98

The acerbic House (Hugh Laurie) is trying to get his license back in this season, while his co-workers deal with the staff shakeups, moral dilemmas and House himself. Extras: featurettes, commentary. BD adds BD-Live capacity.

iCarly: iSpace Out

Nickelodeon/Paramount, 144 minutes, 6 episodes, $16.99

Six more episodes of the teen Carly (Miranda Cosgrove) who runs her own web show. Extras: trivia game, bonus episode of “Victorious.”

Leonard Cohen: Bird On A Wire

MVD Visual, 120 minutes, 17 songs, $19.95

Restored version of 1972 concert featuring Cohen was created using 294 rolls of film rediscovered last year by director Tony Palmer. Extras: reproduction of the film poster.

Documentary about four African-American families each vying to get their children in a 2009 charter school so that they wouldn’t have go to the failed public school system. Extras: Q&A panel discussion, deleted scenes, interviews.

The Middle

Warner Bros., 528 minutes, 3 discs, $44.98

Family situation comedy about raising a family and lowering expectations. What else is new? Extras: two featurettes, deleted scenes, gag reel.

NICS: Los Angeles – The First Season

Paramount, 1,032 minutes

DVD: $62.99

BD: 72.99

First season of the spin-off series from the original NCIS (Naval Criminal Investigative Service) show moves the locale to California. Extras: seven featurettes, commentary.

9th Company

Well Go USA, 204 minutes, R

DVD: $24.98

BD: $26.98

Collector’s Edition DVD: $29.98

Collector’s Edition BD: $32.98

2005 Russian film on the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan recounts a year in the lives of a group of draftees in the final year of the conflict. Reviews call it the Russian version of films such as “Platoon” and other Vietnam films. In Russian with English subtitles or newly dubbed English track. Collector’s Editions extras: two featurettes, interviews.

Parenthood: Season 1

Universal, 570 minutes, 3 discs, $39.98

TV version of director Ron Howard’s 1989 film (minus Steve Martin) about four grown siblings and their spouses trying to be successful parents. For those who think that “Brothers and Sisters” is too heavy on the drama. Extras: commentary, featurette.

Rio Breaks

Factory 25, 85 minutes, not rated, $19.95

Documentary focuses on two young teens who seek to escape the drug gang-controlled confines of Rio de Janeiro’s Favela do Pavâo by entering in a surfing competition at Arpoador Beach. No extras listed.

Sons of Anarchy: Season Two

Fox, 595 minutes, 13 episodes

DVD (4 discs): $59.98

BD (3 discs): $69.99

Second season of an outlaw motorcycle club that protects their small town against drug dealers, corporate developers and overzealous cops, along with their own illegal arms business. Extras: deleted scenes, gag reel, music video, commentary, two featurettes.

The Vampire Diaries: The Complete First Season

Warner Bros., 935 minutes, 22 episodes

DVD (5 discs): $59.98

BD (4 discs): $69.97

Two vampires; one good, one bad; are warring for the souls of the residents of Mystic Falls, Virgina. Based on the teen novels of L.J. Smith. I suppose the recent “Twilight” series has nothing to do with it. Extras: four featurettes, commentary, deleted scenes, webisodes, gag reel, downloadable audiobook.